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Barriers and Facilitators to Using Knee Gait Analysis Report Findings in Physiotherapy Practice

Nathaly Gaudreault, Marie-José Durand, Michael Bernier and Anne-Marie Côté

Background: Gait analysis can be used by physiotherapists to better understand the causes and consequences of knee pain. However, its use is not widespread among clinicians working with this clientele.

Objective: To identify the barriers and facilitators to using a gait analysis data report in the evaluation and treatment of patients with knee pain.

Design: A qualitative descriptive study design was used.

Methods: Eleven physiotherapists received training on the principles of knee gait analysis assessment and data interpretation. Each physiotherapist was instructed to send two knee patients for a gait analysis assessment and then incorporate these new data into their practice with these patients. A semi-structured interview was conducted to ascertain the physiotherapist’s perception of the barriers and facilitators to using gait analysis. The verbatim transcripts were analyzed using content analysis software (NVivo 9).

Results: The main barriers were as follows: 1) difficulty interpreting the gait analysis data report; 2) gait analysis testing procedures appear lengthy and complex; and 3) cost involved. The facilitators were: 1) gait analysis is perceived as being useful, especially for complex cases; 2) assessment protocol and data are perceived as valid and reliable; and 3) favorable perception of kinematic analysis by work colleagues.

Conclusion: We were able to pinpoint the barriers and facilitators likely to promote the use of gait analysis in physiotherapy practice among knee injury patients. These barriers and facilitators are more related to the potential user (physiotherapist) and to the organizational and human environment than to gait analysis itself.